FBI Says Guthrie Case Remains Kidnapping-for-Ransom Probe

The FBI says Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains a kidnapping-for-ransom investigation, even though some ransom notes received in the case have been deemed illegitimate extortion attempts.

Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen Jan. 31 at her home in Tucson, Arizona, according to the case timeline. Relatives reported her missing Feb. 1 after she failed to appear for church.

In a statement, FBI Phoenix said the FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes during the investigation. “Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy,” the statement said. “Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such.”

This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case. — FBI Phoenix

“This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case,” FBI Phoenix said. The bureau said it has offered and will continue to offer assistance, while local authorities remain the lead agency.

Reuters reported that an FBI official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said three widely reported messages in the case were not believed to be genuine. One reportedly demanded cryptocurrency, another claimed Guthrie had died, and a third was sent to TMZ by someone claiming to know the identities of the alleged kidnappers.

The FBI Phoenix statement did not say which notes investigators had ruled illegitimate, or which ransom demands may still be under review.

The investigation remains active. Security footage released by the FBI showed a masked person wearing black clothing, latex gloves and a backpack outside Guthrie’s home in the early hours of Feb. 1, according to the source material.

Investigators believe the person disabled Guthrie’s doorbell camera before her pacemaker monitoring app disconnected less than an hour later. Guthrie requires daily medication for a heart condition and has mobility issues, according to the source material.

Brian Trascher, national vice president of the United Cajun Navy, told NewsNation that the volunteer search-and-rescue group offered drones, canine teams and experienced volunteers during the early stages of the investigation.

“We really felt strongly that there was a good chance that she could have ended up somewhere along the border,” Trascher said.

Trascher said the Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined the group’s offers. A department spokesperson later confirmed the organization had been thanked but said investigators would not use external operational support.

The group also submitted a 41-page search plan with trained volunteers, drones, thermal imaging technology and more than 20 search dogs, according to the source material.

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s whereabouts. The Guthrie family has pledged an additional reward of up to $1 million.